Jets hire new TE coach

Dan Leberfeld

02/18/2004

Herman Edwards continued his off-season goal of changing the face of the Jets coaching staff by hiring former Oakland Raider assistant Bob Casullo as tight end coach.

Casullo replaces last year's tight end coach Dick Curl, who was moved to a newly created position (senior assistant/special projects).
Casullo was the Raiders special teams coach the last four seasons. Prior to that, he was an assistant at Syracuse from 1985-94, where he coached special teams, tight ends and running backs. Then from 1995-98, he coached special teams and defensive ends at Georgia Tech. He spent the 1999 season coaching special teams and tight ends at Michigan State.

Casullo was fired by new Raiders coach Norv Turner who hired his old friend from the Dallas Cowboys Joe Avezzano to handle the special teams for the Silver and Black.

The hiring of Casullo and re-assignment of Curl, is another example of Edwards putting his stamp on the Jets coaching staff. Over his first three year with the Jets, Edwards had some assistants who might not have been his choice, like former defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell. The idea to hire Curl came from Jet GM Terry Bradway. The two are old friends. While Curl isn't a bad coach, he's very low key. One thing is clear from the new assistants Edwards has added this off-season. He wants his staff loaded with motivators and teachers. New defensive assistants Donnie Henderson, Doug Graber and Denny Marcin are all energy-laden and animated coaches.

To complete his offensive staff, Edwards moved Jim Hostler from quarterback coach to wide receiver coach. Hostler coached wideouts in New Orleans prior to coming to the Jets. Edwards likely won't replace Hostler as quarterback coach because Paul Hackett will handle that job.